THE NINETEENTH LONDON PARADE.
Page 19
Page 22
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Keen Competition for the New "Commercial Motor" Cup. Extremely Close Marking Amongst the Rival Teams. Complete List of Prizewinners.
-ur ANY PERSONS not intimately connected with the .1.1(1.commercial vehicle industry and mechanical road transport in its many phases are inclined to question the Value of such parades as that organized by the London and Home Counties Division of the Commercial Motor Users Association, which took place in Lincoln's Inn Fields last Saturday. It is quite possible that some believe that the vehicles there exhibited are given a real clean up only once a year, and that it is merely those which are found to be in the most spick-and-span condition which win the commendation of the judges. This is, as a matter of fact, by no means the case. Personal visits on the part of the staff of The Commercial Motor have shown that it is only by conscientious attention paid during the whole year that these fleets of vehicles can attain the really wonderful condition which is shown by the majority, and this is one great reason for the holding of the parade, which, as is well known, is only the first of a series taking place annually throughout the country, and the condition of the fleets, although surprisingly good, may be taken as representative of those paraded elsewhere.
The interest which is being displayed in the London parade is most gratifying. The total number of vehicles entered this year waz 147, 117 being petrol, 27 steam and three battery electric. We wese particularly interested to note a new arrival of unusual interest in the S.D.-Freighter, of which more will be said later.
Judging such a display of vehicles is certainly one of the most difficult tasks that can be attempted. However, the work is so arranged that each judge has a particular part of a chassis or body to deal with, and thus he is in a better position to make proper comparisons. Age and mileage are, of course, taken into due consideration, but, naturally, the bulk of the marks must go to appearance and mechanical fitness.
There is no doubt that well-kept vehicles have a really wonderful advertising value. This is a point which we emphasize, for it is not always appreciated by owners. This journal has always done its utmost to encourage the C.M.T.T.A. in its efforts to promote esprit de corps between owners and drivers of commercial vehicles, and as a practical token of this the proprietors presented a handsome challenge cup, which was first competed for in 1910.
This cup, having been won for three years in succession by Thomas Wethered and Sons, Ltd., the well-known brewers of Marlow, became their property on the occatsion of the last parade, and this year it has been necessary to provide another trophy. Consequently, the proprietors of The Commercial Motor again came forward and presented a second challenge cup. On this occasion Messrs. Wethereds, in a most sportsmanlike spirit, have stood down' but three of the company's vehicles were at the parade at the invitation of the Association, and were much admired. We trust, however, that they will again compete on future occasions.
Starting from the south-east corner of the parade ground, the first fleet encountered was that entered by Glico Petroleum, Ltd., this consisting of Leyland, Albion and Hallford vehicles and comprising two teams of three, of which there were four tankers and two lorries for carrying petrol cans.
The next team consisted of two Renaults and a Ford sent by Alfred Graham and Co., who are well known as the rnakerS of the Amplion loud-speakers for wireless.
Two Albions and a Cornmer Car were paraded by W. T. Henley's Telegraph Works Co., Ltd. Those vehicles had covered a mileage of 50,000 apiece and showed scrupulous attention to cleanliness.
Next we came to three of the most remarkable vehicles in the country, shown by Hovis, Ltd. These consisted of two Leylands and a Tilling-Stevens, all of them having put up very large mileages, one Leyland having covered over 150,000, the other nearly 255,000, and the Tilling-Stevens over 200,000; yet, in spite of this, the engines ticked over as if the distance had been in hundreds instead of thousands.
The team of Straker-Squires shown by John Knight, Ltd., made a fine show with their brightly polished radiators and bodies carrying the Royal Arms. A feature of these vehicles was the very nice condition of the bodywork, including the striking finish, the ownens certainly believing in making the most of the publicity value of the motor vehicle.
John Lenanton and Son, Ltd., were, as usual, well represented by two teams of British-Berne, Fiat and Thornyeroft machines, some of which have been in service since 1914 and are still going strong. Most of these vehicles are employed on short, heavy hauls, the biggest mileage being 77,000. The Thornycroft is one of the latest pattern forward-dash type.
M. and W. Mack had three teams on view, these being of A.E.C., Lancia and Fiat make. Only those who have had experience with transport in the neighbourhood of Covent Garden will realize the nature of the work with which these vehicles have to contend.
The nine vehicles entered by the National Benzole Co., Ltd., were, as usual, conspicuous by their colouring. They included four Thornycrofts, two Albions and one each Leyland, A.E.C. and Guy. All of them showed that they had received .a great amount of attention.
Coal is usually regarded as a somewhat dirty commodity. One would not think so, however, in looking at the lorries owned by Rickett, Smith and Co., in which it is carried. These vehicles made a very good show.
Much interest was taken in, and many flattering comments made regarding the teams of Thornycroft and Leyland tank wagons and petrol-tin carriers owned by Shell-Mex, Ltd., whose drivers display commendable and justifiable enthusiasm in their vehicles, which certainly can be said to be in the pink of condition. The Scammell tractor-lorries were notable, even the cylinders and crankcases having been polished at the expense of considerable trouble.
The mileages of the six vehicles shown by United Dairies, Ltd., varied from 100 to 60,000. They consisted of two Albions and an S.D.-Freighter belonging to the Manor Farm Dairy, Ltd. and three Albions belonging to Long and Pocock, one of which was the latest forward-dash type with roller shutter sides and back. Incidentally, a Leyland, also of this type, although not officially in the parade, was on view. The SD.-Freighter machine, which type will be familiar to our
• readers, was a particularly interesting vehicle. A feature of each of the three Leylands owned by the
• United Glass Bottle Manufacturers, Ltd. was the brass " bottle " mounted on the radiator cap. Nii.e heard some of the engines running and noted their sweetness in spite of mileages varying from 36,000 to 44,000.
Next in order came the steam vehicles, of which the first three, owned by Anglo-American Oil Co. Ltd., were Fodens. One noteworthy feature seen on these vehicles was a leather splash preventer mounted immediately under the centre of each front axle.
Accumulator acid is the material serried by three Sentinels owned by F. W. Berk and Co., Ltd. This fact is given publicity to in a notable manner by the use of east and polished brass plates mounted on the front of each wagon.
Very smart indeed looked the Atkinsons entered by the Cement Marketing Co., Ltd., this being accentuated by their polished hub caps and steam pipes.
Charrington, Gardner, Locket and Co., Ltd., showed four Robeys, a Garrett and a Sentinel, the Robeys having polished smoke doors.
Next to these were two Aveling and Porters and it Foden owned by G. J. Cockerell and Co., none of which had less than 40,000 miles to its credit, Hall and Co., Ltd., were represented by three Allchin machines, all in excellent condition.
Sentinels were certainly well represented, three of these machines also being shown by Sarni.. Hanson and Son. ' We have already referred to some of the Hoyle vehicles. At the other side of the Square they had three Garretts.
The only battery electric machines at the parade were three of G.V.C. make entered by Carter, Paterson and Co., Ltd. These had mileages varying from 10,000 to 17,500.
Apart from their steam wagons, Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., made a very striking display with their petrol machines, of which there were three of Thornycroft make. These were finished in the handsome green and red combination.
Blue was the predominating colour in the six Leyland machines shown by Blue Bird Motor Co. (1924), Ltd. These were all practically new.
Another fleet of six Leylands was entered by Brandon's C18
Putney Brewery, Ltd., some of these being notable for the exceedingly large bodies. All were in excellent condition.
One of the biggest fleets was that consisting of six Dennis vehicles and three Daimlers belonging to British Petroleum Co., Ltd., and comprising petrol-can carriers and tank wagons finished in green and red. The clean lines of both these makes lend themselves to the excellent finish.
The vehicles belonging to Bryant and May, Ltd., consist ing of Albion, Thornycroft and ere nicely finished with monograms on the radiators, and, in the case of the Leylands, being equipped with replicas of boxes of Swan vestas over the cabs, each also having a model swan mounted on the radiator cap.
Another handsome team of Dennis vehicles was that owned by Carless, Capel and Leonard.
Carter, Paterson and Co., Ltd., who have already been mentioned in connection with their electrics, are old entrants in the parade. They also showed three Leylands. '
Three further machines entered by G. J. Cockerell and Co. included a Leyland, a Hanford and an interesting Fordson tractor equipped with a Carrimore two-wheel trailer, this having auxiliary front wheels.
Another of the very large fleet's entered which consisted of Dennis vehicles was shown by the Gas Light and Coke Co., this making a very handsome display.
Prior to the judging, tha Council of the Association entertained at luncheon the Rt. Hon. Sir William JoynsonHicks, Bt., M.P. (Secretary of State for Home Affairs), Sir Walter Gilbey, Bt., Sir Edward Smith, J.P., D.L. (chairman National Safety First Association), and a number of other distinguished guests, Mr. Walter McDowell, chairman of the Parade Committee, being in the chair. Mr. ShrapnellSmith, proposing the health of His Majesty's Ministers, drew attention to the growth of the road transport industry to the point where it employed 100,000 more men than do all the railways in Great Britain. Sir William made a delightful speech in reply. Sir Walter Gilbey, in proposing "The Parade," was extremely piquant, and Sir Edward Smith toasted the chairman in felicitous terms.
The results, which were announced before the conclusion of the Parade, were as follow:—
Winners of The Commercial Motor hundred-guinea. Challenge Cup, Shell-Mex, Ltd., with a team of Thorny. crofts, the Association's Silver Medal for engineers being awarded to Mr. C. M. V. Ambler, the chief engineer, and the drivers receiving the Shrapnell-Smith Challenge Cup, each man also receiving a souvenir medal and £2.
The same company were runners-up with a team of Leyland vehicles, the drivers each receiving a medal and fl 10s.
In the electric-vehicle section, a G.V.C. entered by Carter, Paterson and Co., Ltd., won the special silver cup, the driver receiving fl. 10s.
The following teams are in order of merit, and the money prizes are shown :— £1. British Petroleum Co., Ltd. (Dennis) ; Gas Light and Coke Co., Ltd. (Dennis).
15s. Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd. (Peden) ; Rickett, Smith and Co. (Dennis) ; Gas Light and Coke Co. (Dennis) ; G. J. Cockerell and Co. (Foden, Aveling and Porter) ; Gas Light and Coke Co. (Dennis).
10s. Hall and. Co., Ltd. (Allchin) ; United Dairies, Ltd. (Albion, S.D.-Freighter) ; Gas Light and Coke Co. (Dennis) ; Rickett, Smith and Co. (Dennis) ; Shell-Mex, Ltd. (Scammell) ; Carter, Paterson and Co., Ltd. (Leyland) ; J. Lenanton and Son, Ltd. (British-Berna, Fiat, Thornycroft) ; Charrington, Gardner, Locket and Co., Ltd. (Robey, Garrett) ; Cement Marketing Co., Ltd. (Atkinson) ; Hovis, Ltd. (Leyland, Tilling-Stevens) ; Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd. (Thornycroft).
5s. Carless, Cenci and Leonard (Dennis) ; Brandon's Putney Brewery, Ltd. (Leyland) ; British Petroleum Co., Ltd. (Daimler) ; Brandon's Putney Brewery, Ltd. (Leyland) ; J. Lenanton and Son, Ltd. (British-Berna) ; Bryant and May, Ltd. (Leyland) ; British Petroleum Co., Ltd. (Dennis) ; Bryant and May, Ltd. (Albion, Thornycroft) ; HOVig, Ltd. (Garrett) ; John Knight, Ltd. (StrakerSquire).
Highly Commended. G. I. Cockerel' and Co. (Hanford, Pordson, Albion) ; Blue Bird Motor Co. (1924), Ltd. (Leyland) ; ditto (Leyland) ; National Benzole Co.' Ltd. (Thornycroft) ; Glico Petroleum, Ltd. (Leyland, Albion, Hanford) ; United Glass Bottle Manufacturers, Ltd. (Leyland) ; M. and W. Mack (A.E.C.) ; Charrington, Gardner, Locket, Ltd. (Sentinel, Robey) ; Sam. Hanson and Son (Sentinel) ; National Benzoic Co., Ltd. (Albion, Leyland).